In The Telegraph, a lovely turn of phrase - as ever - from Chris Bascombe, who reflects on the sort of football Liverpool produced against Augsburg.

He writes: Slow, unspectacular progress with plenty of room for improvement.

Liverpool’s passage to the last 16 of the Europa League was emblematic of the first few months of the Jurgen Klopp reign.

Klopp could point to several missed opportunities and an opposing goalkeeper who repelled Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino, but he’ll know the distance between where Liverpool are and where they need to be might need space travel to navigate.

Shorter-term they must radically improve when they meet Manchester City on Sunday, but there is some consolation their season will remain alive regardless of the outcome this weekend.

“Continuity and rhythm,” has been the Klopp buzz phrase in recent weeks. Never mind ‘heavy metal football’ at times this was more like a sentimental ballad by an out-of-tune crooner.

He writes: One week after being presented with a giant pretzel in Bavaria, Jürgen Klopp was relieved to discover that Augsburg’s hospitality did not end with outsized baked bread.

This time the present came in the form of a handball so needless that a shocked Anfield failed to appeal for the penalty that James Milner converted. Another gift had been accepted and with it progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Only after the final whistle had blown and relief had swept the stadium did thoughts turn to City as a chorus of “We’re the greatest team in Europe and we’re going to Wembley,” erupted.

The destination might have been accurate but the description was as wayward as Liverpool’s finishing and had a 90th minute free kick from Kostas Stafylidis drifted inside the post instead of marginally outside, Klopp would be preparing for his biggest game since taking over as manager with his preparations undermined by recriminations.

The Guardian's Andy Hunter, meanwhile, was impressed by the Reds' attacking intent.

He writes: Liverpool were edgy in defence but their play in the final third showed the benefits of a first full week’s training since Christmas. There was greater intensity and understanding to their attacking performance than there has been for several weeks. The quickfire combinations between Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge on the left were a constant worry for the Augsburg defence.

The Mirror, and David Maddock, however, want to see more from the forwards - especially on Sunday.

He writes: While the creativity of movement and passing is there, the finishing isn't yet. Not quite. In the first hour, Liverpool should have been out of sight, but spurned so many chances through a combination of uncertain finishing and some fine goalkeeping from Marwin Hitz.

In their defence, both Coutinho and Sturridge are still not 100 per cent match fit, and you could see in some of their attempts in the penalty area.

They will need to take their chances against City on Sunday though, to have any chance.